Real Stories from Remote Workers in Asia: What No One Tells You
Working remotely from Asia sounds like a dream—until you realize no one talks about the loneliness, the culture shocks, or the days when the Wi-Fi fails during an important meeting. Behind every perfect Instagram shot, there’s a real story. These are some of them.
Rina – From Jakarta to Ho Chi Minh City
Rina is a freelance translator who moved to Vietnam in 2022. While she loves the food and affordability, adjusting to the language barrier and missing her family during holidays hit her harder than expected. "I thought I’d be happy all the time," she says, "but I learned growth often comes with discomfort."
James – From London to Chiang Mai
James is a software developer who left his corporate job to live in Thailand. "It’s easy to glamorize the lifestyle," he shares, "but remote work still requires structure. I burned out from trying to do too much while pretending I was on vacation."
Maria – From Manila to Bali
Maria is a content strategist who balances her time between surfing and pitching clients. "What surprised me most was the guilt—I felt bad enjoying life while friends back home were stressed at the office. But I’ve learned to stop apologizing for designing a life that works for me."
Things People Rarely Mention
- Time zone isolation—working at midnight to sync with clients abroad
- Struggling with inconsistent income at first
- Visa confusion and legal gray areas
- The challenge of making real friends beyond tourist circles
But Also, This Is Real Freedom
Every person I spoke to said the same thing: even with the struggles, they’d never trade it for the old 9-to-5. Remote work isn’t perfect—but it can be deeply meaningful. Just remember, you’re allowed to build your own version of success.
If you're working abroad or have experienced struggles while living in another country, share your journey and inspire others through your story.
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